The pandemic has deprived many artists of many opportunities. For singer Maya Bhide and the band Flight Lights, things were set right on Wednesday at Morristown Onstage.
Both acts were winners in 2021. But COVID-19 drove the amateur talent contest virtual last year, depriving them of the thrill of performing at the Mayo Performing Arts Center (MPAC).
So the Morris Educational Foundation (MEF), organizers of the annual fundraiser, invited Bhide and Flight Lights back for this year’s 15th anniversary show.
“It was amazing. It was really, really good to be back in person this time, and see such a supportive crowd. The theater and acoustics were amazing,” said Bhide, a junior at the Morristown Beard School who knows something about acoustics.
Video: Maya Bhide sings at Morristown Onstage 2022:
Last fall she sang the National Anthem before a Jets game at Met Life Stadium. Earlier this month, she performed at Carnegie Hall (playing Chopin’s Nocturne in C Sharp Minor on piano) after winning another competition.
At MPAC, Bhide reprised her winning entry from 2021, singing Hero by Mariah Carey. Bhide was accompanied on piano by Jini Ettigi, her vocal coach and mentor. Behind them, a video highlighted Morris School District programs supported by Morristown Onstage, which the MEF says has raised nearly $1.5 million over the years.
While playing Chopin at Carnegie Hall was “a little out of my comfort zone,” Bhide said the pressure was off at MPAC — she wasn’t competing, and everyone made her feel comfortable.
“It was more enjoyable than anything else,” said the Randolph resident, who aspires to a recording career and hopes to study at New York University.
Flight Lights, which won the 19-and-over bracket in 2021, also reprised its winning tune, Franklin’s Tower by the Grateful Dead.
Last year’s video victory led to several live bookings, including Meet Me in Morristown last summer.
Drummer Tommy Riley and guitarist Matt Takesh from the original lineup were onstage Wednesday. Band members Chris Riley and Caleb MacGray were replaced by Sam Ciceri and Christian Mena.
Video: Flight Lights at Morristown Onstage 2022:
The audience also got a preview of Something ROTTEN!, Morristown High School’s spring musical (March 25-27, 2022). The cast sang Welcome to the Renaissance.
Video: MHS Theatre welcomes 21st century viewers to the Renaissance:
If you look closely, you will spot MHS junior Ella Lindner. Earlier in the evening, she delivered a strong cover of Gnarls Barkley’s Crazy as a Morristown Onstage finalist.
